NAN-AE-6
Strategy
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, April 5, 2017 (NAN) The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), has enacted a three -year response strategy to mitigate the impact of food crisis in the Northeastern Nigeria and Lake Chad Basin communities.
Mr Jose Da Silva, the Director General, FAO, made this disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Da Silva said that the three-year emergency response strategy would run from 2017 to 2019.
He said that the crisis was complex and so was the road to sustainable development.
“Therefore, to effectively address economic, social and environmental impacts coherently, we must have a regional, integrated and comprehensive approach in which national actors are on the front line.
“This will include, seed provision with medium-term programmatic priorities, aimed at promoting viable livelihoods and diversification while reducing vulnerability and risk and working to prevent conflict.
“The security of rural livelihoods is key to making sustainable development a reality by ensuring that agriculture and food systems are productive and risk sensitive’’.
He said that the United Nations agencies also joined in the FAO’s efforts to maximise the impact of the interventions.
“Synergies are being achieved between the World Food Programme in-kind food and cash-based transfers designed to allow households to protect their seeds.
“FAO is fast-tracking small holder agricultural production through the provision of tools, fertiliser and more seeds,’’ he added.
According to him, peace and security are needed; enhancing the resilience of vulnerable populations can help bring progress which is essential to sustaining it in the future.
He said FAO would always support countries in the region and collaborate with regional institutes such as the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel, humanitarian and development partners. (NAN)
EPA/MO/YEMI
Edited by Morayo Omolade/Yemi Idris-Aduloju